Chrysalis Chapter 1606: 1714 - The Shadows Are Dangerous

The nameless one felt a sense of unfamiliarity being out in the tunnels under these circumstances. Several of her sisters, those who functioned as scouts and soldiers during their waking hours, likely felt more at home in these surroundings, but the nameless one had remained within the shadows for many weeks. It was possible her identity among the living had vanished entirely, a missing ant struck from the records and presumed dead. Alternatively, her family might have known exactly where she spent her time and simply chose to ignore it.

<Stay sharp,> the leader of the squad signaled to the others.

As if the nameless one would ever be anything less than perfect in her duties. She had tracked the most formidable prey within the Colony; a few humans stumbling through the Dungeon would offer no real difficulty.

Even so, she never took shortcuts or allowed her vigilance to waver. Perfection was the mandatory standard for the nameless, and she intended to meet that requirement regardless of the mission.

Gliding through the shadows like liquid, the group of nameless moved in unison, pausing and sensing, only shifting their positions when they were absolutely certain. Dancing upon the razor-thin line between the material world and the shadow dimension, they took care not to drift too far in either direction. After a time, their first target was located.

A lone human was crouched against the tunnel wall in a hidden spot.

To be fair, it was a respectable attempt at stealth, and the nameless might have overlooked her if not for the constant shadow cast upon the floor. If a shadow existed, they would find it. To the nameless, shadows served as both windows and doors. Of all things in existence, they were most attuned to the darkness.

<One target,> the leader signed, <neutralize.>

The nameless one did not hesitate, moving with intent, invisible and silent through the corridor. As her companions spread out behind her, they inspected every corner and crevice. When hunting such prey, they knew better than to rely on their eyes, antennae, or even touch. Nothing was taken at face value; every detail had to be confirmed from as many perspectives as possible.

Only through such thoroughness did they discover the second human, hidden inside a hollow stalagmite and using mana sense to monitor the outside world.

<Another one,> the nameless one signaled, indicating the hidden foe.

Within that total darkness, there wasn't even a shadow to detect. Only the incredibly light touch of the delver’s mind upon the tunnel's mana had revealed her presence.

When they struck, it was finished in a heartbeat. The nameless one dealt with the second delver herself. While the pitch black within the pillar had concealed the human's shadow, it offered no defense against the arts of the nameless. Taking hold of that darkness, the nameless one meticulously infused it with her own mana, extending it through the shadow dimension to mask where the power originated.

Even though she was actively searching for mana, the delver remained oblivious that the very darkness surrounding her was shifting and becoming tangible. It was no longer merely an absence of light; it had become a doorway.

When the moment was right, the nameless one pulled it wide, and the delver tumbled through the opening. Without even enough time to scream, she was wrapped in a shroud of shadow, her consciousness forced into a deep sleep.

Flawless.

Once the prey was concealed in the separate realm, others were ready to secure the subdued targets and transport them to the sleeping cells. The nameless had carved numerous hidden paths through the shadow dimension for this very purpose.

<Continue,> their leader signed. <Clear the path.>

And so they proceeded.

They moved through the tunnel, searching, sensing, and hunting. With as much care as if they were stalking the Council itself, they advanced with extreme caution, knowing that even a hint of their presence would make the mission ten times more difficult.

More were discovered, either alone or in small clusters—delvers huddled in various spots, watching the passage and looking for ants, never realizing they were the ones being preyed upon. One by one, they were claimed by the darkness, forced into slumber, and carried away to the cells.

It became evident that too many sentries were guarding this specific tunnel for it to be a coincidence, and the reason soon became clear.

<Stop,> the nameless one signaled, and the unit froze instantly. In the silence, she indicated four different spots. <And there,> she added.

A massive concentration of delvers was ahead. With this many gathered so closely, there were bound to be more.

<Scout it,> the leader gestured.

Where a full squad of nameless could not pass, a single individual might.

Squeezing through the tightest of gaps, she slipped past the first line of guards, then the second, and finally the third. Only then was she close enough to perceive what was being concealed in the tunnel.

Exiting was far simpler than entering. After all, the humans expected threats to arrive from the front, not the rear. Those they had already captured were undoubtedly part of this operation. Soon, the humans would realize people were missing and increase their guard, but for now, they remained unaware.

Once she was back in the clear, she returned to the waiting nameless.

<A large force,> she signed. <They are preparing something.>

The nameless stood motionless, weighing their next move.

<We must report this to the Eldest,> the leader signed.

Naturally, they could not approach the Eldest directly, as no one knew their exact location at the moment. Fortunately, that wasn't necessary. Beside them, drifting on the boundary between reality and shadow, a lone tentacle waited, ready to receive their message.